Reading Comprehension

Read the passages in the textbook and choose the best answer.
Culture Shock
(Unit 6A, page 70)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. People have different reasons for moving to another country.
b. Some people who move to another country may experience culture shock, but others
may not.
c. Culture shock can happen to people when they move to another country, but it does not
last forever.
d. People need to be extremely careful of culture shock as it probably causes some serious
negative impacts.
2. What does the word spoil (Line 2, Paragraph 3) mean?
a. let someone do whatever he wants
b. make something bad
c. tell the end of a story to someone
d. none of the above
Hungry Adventures
(Unit 6B, pages 72-73)
1. What is the purpose of the blog writer?
a. to share her enjoyable experience about food in Singapore
b. to introduce different kinds of foods she tasted in Singapore
c. to introduce the places for buying delicious foods in Singapore
d. all of the above
2. Which of the following is NOT true?

a. The blog writer eats many kinds of Indian foods.

b. We can see cultures of different nations in Singapore.
c. Little India is a part of Singapore where visitors can enjoy eating many kinds of Indian
foods.
d. none of the above
3. Overall, how did the writer feel about her trip to Singapore?

a.
b.
c.
d.

interested in the culture of India she met in the country

fascinated with several kinds of delicious foods and food markets
excited to taste the different national foods
eager to come back as she did not go to everywhere she wanted

4. What does the word stalls (Line 1, Paragraph 2, Column 1) mean?

a.
b.
c.
d.

small shops
cheap prices
low quality food
all of the above
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5. What does the word fancy (Line 7, Paragraph 1, Column 2) mean?

a.
b.
c.
d.

think of
feel excited
imagine
like

6. What does the word they (Line 3, Paragraph 3, Column 3) refer to?

a.
b.
c.
d.

the sights and smells of India

crispy Indian pancakes
rice and lentils
none of the above

A More Personal Place to Stay

(Unit 7A, pages 81-82)
1. What is the purpose of the passage?
a. to promote the website Airbnb
b. to list the advantages of living with hosts
c. to give information about being hosts and having guests
d. to create peoples positive attitude toward being hosts and having guests
2. Which of the following should be the source of the article?
a. a newspaper
b. a travel website
c. a business magazine
d. an advertisement for promoting a country
3. Which of the following is NOT true?
a. The prices of living with hosts in different places are approximately the same.
b. Both Antonia and Kumi have good experience of living with their hosts.
c. Both Roberto and Lisa like to meet someone new.
d. Clara is selective for accepting someone to be her own guest.
Everyones a Journalist (Unit 8A, page 93)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Social media have both advantages and disadvantages.
b. Social media can spread news very quickly around the world.
c. People should be careful when reading anything on social media.
d. Social media play an important role in spreading news, either true or false.
2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
a. Sometimes serious events are posted on social media before official news channels.
b. People who read news on social media feel closer to the news sender than receiving it
from official news channels.
c. Without social media, the situation in Haiti would be better.
d. The Hurricane Sandy did not cause as serious effects as posted on social media.
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3. Why does the writer name the passage Everyones a Journalist?

a. Everyone can create news.
b. Everyone can make people believe him.
c. Everyone can spread news.
d. Everyone can make news on social media seem true.
10-Year-Old Boy Drives to Airport and Flies across USA
(Unit 8D, page 100)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Family is important for children.
b. Kenton stole unbelievable things more than a 13-year-old boy could do.
c. Kenton was an intelligent 13-year-old boy.
d. Parents should keep their belongings in safe places.
2. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
a. Kentons mother and father do not live together.
b. Kenton lives with his mother.
c. Kenton wants to be a pilot.
d. all of the above
Film-Making has Changed a Lot in the Last 100 Years or has it ?
(Unit 9A, page 105)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Old film making techniques require a lot of instruments, people, and patience.
b. Many movies, both in the past and present, use an old film making technique.
c. Film making in the past was much more difficult than today, but some old films are still
popular.
d. Old film making techniques, despite requiring a lot of effort, have been used to create
impressive movies until today.
2. Which of the following is NOT true?
a. Some people think that old films are not interesting.
b. Stop-frame filming technique is a film-making technique used in the past.
c. Snow White is the most popular film which uses old techniques for its production.
d. Aardman Animations is the film production company in the present time.
3. What does the word They (the first word of Line 1, Paragraph 1) refer to?
a. Special effects
b. People
c. Old movies
d. Film directors
4. What does the word it (Line 1, Paragraph 4) refer to?
a. Disney
b. Snow White
c. an old movie
d. an old film-making technique
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Searching for Serendipity

(Unit 10 B, page 120)
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Willingness to take risk is the key to success.
b. Anna, Tom, and Carla are all willing to take the opportunities.
c. The persons who are not afraid of making wrong decisions will be successful.
d. Willingness to take the opportunities can make someone get good things in life.
2. Why does the writer include the stories of Anna, Tom and Carla?
a. to share the success stories of the persons who do not leave their opportunities behind
b. to show how success comes from willingness to take risk
c. to confirm the argument that luck comes from willingness to take the opportunities
d. to explain how mistakes can lead to luck.
3. What does the expression make the most of it (Line 13, Paragraph 3) mean?
a. take the most advantage of it
b. pay the most attention to it
c. think about it as carefully as possible
d. take risk of doing it
4. What does the word spotted (Line 11, Toms story) mean?
a. read
b. clicked
c. deleted
d. noticed

Sentence Structures
There are 4 types of sentences: 1) simple sentences, 2) compound sentences, 3) complex
sentences, and 4) compound-complex sentences.
1) Simple sentences:
subject (s) + verb (v) (+ object/complement)
Examples:
Jane speaks English very well. (s v)
Working hard is the way to success. (s v)
James and his girlfriend will meet us at the theatre. (s s v)
2) Compound sentences:
simple sentence (s v) + , + coordinating conjunction + simple sentence (s v)
-

Coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

The meanings of two clauses (simple sentences) have equal importance.
(A clause = a group of word which contains at least a subject and a verb)

Examples:
She has a lot of work to do, so she cannot meet her friends this weekend.
(s v, so s v)
He is my father, and he can be my friend too. (s v, and s v)
Women are lovable, but/ yet they can be evils sometimes. (s v, but/ yet s v)
All employees are happy, for they get a large bonus this year. (s v, for s v)
-

Note: When using any coordinating conjunction, the structure of the words or
clauses before and after the conjunction must be the same; i.e. the structure of these
words or clauses must be parallel.

Examples:
Many people love to eat Tom Yum Kung, papaya salad, and fried rice.
Her house is small but beautiful.
Many dogs do not like seeing veterinarians, taking a bath, and eating vegetables.
She has a lot of work to do, so she cannot meet her friends this weekend.
3) Complex sentences:
dependent clause (DC) + independent clause (IC)
- A dependent clause can stand alone, while an independent clause cannot.
- The meaning of a dependent clause is more important than an independent clause.
- The two clauses are joined with a subordinating conjunction.
- Three types of independent clauses
3.1 Adverb clauses
dependent clause (DC) + independent clause (IC)
independent clause (IC), dependent clause (DC)
- An adverb clause performs the function of an adverb in a sentence.
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Subordinating conjunctions:

though
although
even though
even if
while
whereas

if
unless
until
as long as
as though
as if

where
wherever
because
since
as
so that

in order that
before
after
as soon as
once
when
whenever

Examples:
You will be able to buy a new car if you save your money.
If you save your money, you will be able to buy a new car.
Every year, several types of fruit are sold at the market after they were harvested.
Although he is sick, he works very hard.
Since he is nice, everyone likes him.
3.2 Adjective clauses
- An adjective clause functions as an adjective in a sentence.
- Subordinating conjunctions: who, whom, whose, that, which, where, or when
Examples:
Patrick is a teacher who loves teaching very much.
A notebook is a computer which can be carried around.
I want to live in a place where I can see a nice view.
My brother is the reason why I have to go back to Thailand.

3.3 Noun clauses

A noun clause acts as a noun in a sentence.
Subordinating conjunctions: wh words, if, whether, and that.
Examples:
What they are doing will change the world.
Whether he will come is none of your business.
I think that she is nice.
I dont know whether he will come or not.
I am thinking about how I can be successful. (an object of a preposition)

4) Compound-complex sentences:
- A sentence whose structure includes both compound and complex sentence
Examples:
She does what she says, so everyone trusts her.
I went to Tokyo because I thought Japan was beautiful, and I was not disappointed.
Common errors
1) Parts of speech
Feel guilty all the time does not make anything better.
He works very good.
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2) Subject-verb agreement
He work hard every day.
That girl look at you all the time.
3) Parallel structures: (page 5)
He always works and listening to music at the same time.
I like playing football, watching movies, and I always listen to music.
4) Fragments: incomplete sentences
Although she is nice. (no dependent clause)
The boy who left his house. (no verb of the dependent clause)
Because we love each other. (no dependent clause)
5) Run-on sentences: two clauses in the same sentence without a conjunction.
He is nice, he takes care of everyone.
Tony and his girlfriend always go to the theatre together then go shopping.
Exercise A Find incorrect sentences and correct them.
a. The boy works hard, so he deserve to get an A.
b. Patrick is a kind person, he helps all his friends whenever they want.
c. If we help each other things will be better.
d. Tom love to watch TV with his family.
e. We dont know how to help you. Because you dont help yourself at all.
f. The guy who walk there is very cute.
g. I want you to come back. I promise I wont make you feel bad again.

Paragraph Writing
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with a single topic. A good
paragraph must 1) have unity, 2) be easy to understand, and 3) provide a complete idea of the
topic.
Exercise A Decide which paragraph is the best one.
Paragraph 1
During Sukhothai period, around 1238 A.C, Loy Krathong festival was called Loy
Prateep. People launched lanterns into the sky. Later, Tao Sri Chulaluk, a wife of the king at
that time, created a krathong, which was an object similar to a lotus. She then floated it in a
river to pay respect to the Buddha. This tradition has been passed on from generations to
generations until nowadays.
Paragraph 2
Loy Krathong Festival has a long history. Tao Sri Chulaluk, a wife of the king at that
time, created a krathong, which was an object similar to a lotus. She then floated it in a river
to pay respect to the Buddha. Before that, this tradition had existed since the beginning of
Sukhothai period, around 1238 A.C. At that time, this festival was called Loy Prateep. People
launched lanterns into the sky. The Loy Krathong Festival created by Tao Sri Chulaluk has
been passed on from generations to generations until nowadays.
Paragraph 3
Loy Krathong Festival has a long history. It begins during Sukhothai period, around
1238 A.C. At that time, this festival was called Loy Prateep. People launched lanterns into the
sky. Later, Tao Sri Chulaluk, a wife of the king at that time, created a krathong, which was
an object similar to a lotus. She then floated it in a river to pay respect to the Buddha. This
tradition has been passed on from generations to generations until nowadays.
Paragraph 4
Loy Krathong Festival has a long history. It begins during Sukhothai period, around
1238 A.C. At that time, this festival was called Loy Prateep. People launched lanterns into the
sky. Later, Tao Sri Chulaluk, a wife of the king at that time, created a krathong, which was
an object similar to a lotus. She then floated it in a river to pay respect to the Buddha. The
Buddha was born in India. He taught a lot of people to escape from suffering. This tradition
has been passed on from generations to generations until nowadays.
Paragraph 5
Loy Krathong Festival has a long history. It begins during Sukhothai period, around
1238 A.C. At that time, this festival was called Loy Prateep. Later, Tao Sri Chulaluk created a
krathong, which was an object similar to a lotus. She then floated it in a river to pay respect
to the Buddha.

A paragraph has unity if it focuses only on one single idea. To do so, you must choose
your topic and controlling idea (i.e., the aspect of the topic you want to write).
Example 1:
Topic = Loy Krathong Festival
Controlling idea = history
If so, your paragraph will tell the history of Loy Krathong Festival.
Example 2:
Topic = Loy Krathong Festival
Controlling idea = traditions
Then your paragraph will provide the examples of traditions during Loy Krathong
Festival.
To make it easy to follow, a paragraph must have a topic sentence the sentence which
tells the readers what the paragraph is going to be about (the main idea of the paragraph). A
topic sentence includes topic and controlling idea.
Topic sentence = topic + controlling idea
Example 1:
Possible topic sentence1 = Loy Krathong Festival has a long history.
Example 2:
Possible topic sentence2 = Loy Krathong Festival has many interesting traditions.
Preferably, the topic sentence is put at the beginning of the paragraph so that the readers
can understand the paragraph easily3. (See the examples of topic sentences and their position
in Exercise A.)
After the topic sentence, write supporting details or the ideas that support your topic
sentence. The details work effectively if they can confirm your topic sentence, or convince
your readers to agree with it.

How can I connect different ideas in my paragraph?

To make a paragraph easy to follow, different ideas in the paragraph must be connected
to one another logically based on their relationships. In other words, the ideas in a paragraph
must be connected if they are related to one another, and there are some tools which help link
those ideas. One way to connect different ideas together is using transition words.

1, 2

These are only possible topic sentences, for the actual topic sentences partly depend on the
paragraphs content. For instance, in Example 2, if the writer wants to write about strange traditions
during Loy Krathong Festival, the topic sentence may be There are strange traditions during Loy
Krathong Festival.

Actually, the topic sentence can be at anywhere, either the beginning, the middle, or the end of the
paragraph. Some paragraph even dont have a topic sentence if all the ideas focus on the same topic.
But for those who do not have much experience in writing, it is suggested to put the topic sentence at
the beginning so that the paragraph will be easy to understand and that the writer can stick to his/her
topic more easily.
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Transition words
Transition words are used at the beginning of sentences (or in some cases, after
semicolons (;)).
Example:
Trust is hard to build. However, it is easy to destroy.
Adding
information
Moreover,
Further,
Furthermore,
Besides (that),
In addition,
Not only that,

Showing order
At first,
At the beginning,
First, / Second,
Firstly, / Secondly,
Before that,
After that, / Later,
Then, / Next,
Finally,
Meanwhile,

Contrasting
information
However,
Nevertheless,
Nonetheless,
In contrast,
On the contrary,

Showing an
example
For example,
For instance,

Stating a result
Therefore,
Consequently,
As a result,

Exercise B Fill in each blank with a transition word. (There can be more than one
possible answer.)
Paragraph 1
There are many reasons why people love festivals. 1) _____________, they can have
holidays. This is probably the reason why most people, especially office workers and students,
keep looking forward to them. 2) _____________, people can meet their families or friends
during festivals. Some people have to work or study far away from their houses. Others are so
busy that they rarely have time to talk to their loved ones. As festivals allow them to stop
working or studying, they can spend time with those people. Festivals also help refresh peoples
mind. They allow people to do something else apart from their routine tasks.
3) _____________, they have different experience and can come back to work or study more
effectively. 4) _____________, some festivals remind people of the important events of their
countries. This makes them realizes how much they owe their countries and their ancestors,
and have more intention to help improve their own nations.
Paragraph 2
Staying at a dorm and living with parents are different in many ways. Students who
stays at the dorms have to do everything on their own such as cleaning their rooms, washing
their clothes, and taking care of themselves. 1) _____________, if they live with their parents,
they may not have to do all these things as their parents or their relatives can help them.
2) _____________, those who stay at the dorms have to pay for their rent every month, while
those who live at their houses do not. Staying at a dorm can also cause homesick, which
definitely does not happen to those who stay at home. 3) _____________, staying at the dorm
has two benefits over those who live with their families. Because they do not live with their
parents, they do not have to ask for their parents permission all the time when they want to do
something. 4) _____________, they do not have to spend a lot of time traveling to the
university as most dorms are near the university.
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Exercise C From Paragraphs 1 and 2 in Exercise B, why do some sentences do not use
transition words? Are these sentences connected to one another logically? If
so, how?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
***Be careful!***
As mentioned earlier, the ideas are connected to one another because they are related
to one another in some ways, not because of any tools. These tools CANNOT make your ideas
well-connected if you do not know the relationships among them.
Exercise D Make these sentences into a well-connected paragraph. You can add, delete,
or change some words. (The sentences are in the correct order already.)
Title: The benefits of diversity
A. There are many benefits of having a team with diverse opinions.
B. Diverse opinions help open up new ways of thinking.
C. New ways of thinking can lead to new opportunities.
D. Different ideas helps the team see many possible outcomes of its work.
E. Seeing the possible outcomes of its work can help prevent the problems which may
occur from working.
F. Talking to people with different opinions makes us learn something new.
G. Their different opinions helps us to see the same things in other ways.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

How can I organize a paragraph?

To make a paragraph easy to understand, a paragraph must be well-organized. That is,
the ideas in the paragraph must be arranged logically. For example, comparing between
Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 3 in Exercise A, Paragraph 3 is easier to understand as it does not
make the reader confused with the time order of the events.
A paragraph can also be organized based on different criteria, depending on the purpose
of writing and the nature of the paragraph. Some are organized based on the importance of
issues, the places of each thing mentioned, the differences and similarities, etc. There is no
exact criteria of how to organize a paragraph. As long as it can make the readers understand
easily, the paragraph is said to be well-organized. (See examples in the previous exercises.)
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Exercise E Rearrange these sentences into a well-organized paragraph. Add, delete, or

change some words to make the paragraph well-connected. (There can be
more than one possible answers.)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Topic sentence: Studying by oneself can help you learn best for two reasons.
You know your competence the best.
You are the person who can choose the perfect method and time to study.
If you study by yourself, you can pay attention to the things you need to improve.
Another reason is that you know how you can learn best and when you are ready to
learn.
You know what you do not understand or what you cannot do.
Studying by oneself can help you learn best for two reasons.__ ________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.

Topic sentence: I wanted to be a volunteer because I was heartbroken.

The orphans there were very glad and thanked me many times.
I get up from the sofa, take a bath, and go to buy many things.
I watch TV, and I saw that there are many orphans in a foundations who need help.
They make me feel that I am valuable.
I felt that I dont have anything or anyone.
Their situation was even worse than mine.
This made me decide to be a volunteer at that foundation.
That was a great inspiration.
I drove to different foundations to give those things to them.
I wanted to be a volunteer because I was heartbroken.__ ________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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How can I begin writing a paragraph?

1. Choose a topic and a controlling idea.
Decide what you want to write (topic) and which aspect you want to write (controlling
idea). These will be included in your topic sentence.
2. Generate ideas of the topic and write an outline.
Before you write anything, you must have some idea in your head. There are three ways
to help you generate ideas: 1) listing and grouping, 2) making a mind map, and 3) doing a free
writing. (Examples are given on pages 14 and 15.)
After generating ideas, write an outline. An outline is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
for writing a paragraph. It helps organize your ideas and make the relationship among different
ideas clearer an important thing in making your ideas well-connected. (Examples are given
on page 14 and 15.)
3. Write a topic sentence.
As mentioned earlier, a topic sentence contains a topic and a controlling idea. To make
your paragraph easy to understand, the topic sentence should be put at the beginning of the
paragraph.
4. Write the details of the paragraph based on your outline.
The details must support your topic sentence. Dont forget to make sure that your details
confirm your topic sentence or make your readers agree with it. This can be done by giving
explanations and/or examples, showing causes and/or effects, providing steps of how to do
something, etc.
5. Assess your own paragraph: This can be done by using the following checklist.
Does your paragraph has the following characteristics?
All the sentences stick to one topic and one controlling idea only.
The paragraph has a topic sentence at the beginning.
The paragraph has complete idea (from a readers viewpoint).
The paragraph is organized logically or easy to follow.
Different ideas are well-connected.
Tip: Think of your audience. Who are they? What do they already know? What do they need
to know? Take the answers into your consideration while writing.
Writing Practice: Choose your own topic and write a paragraph (within 200 words).
Writing Assignment: Write a paragraph under one of the following categories. Create your
own topic and controlling idea.
-

University life
My faculty
Activities in Mahidol University
Studying in Mahidol University
Rumors and/or gossips
Entertainment
Food or restaurants
Opportunities

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How to Generate Ideas and Write an Outline (from page 12)

As mentioned earlier, there are three ways to generate ideas and write an outline: listing,
making a mind map, and doing a free writing.
1) Listing
List everything you know about your main idea.
Example:
Topic: Studying by yourself can help you learn best.
- You know your competence the best. can focus on the thing you need
- You know how you learn.
- You know the time you want to learn
- If you graduate, you can learn on your own. improve your career
- You can choose the best method to learn.
Then select the points you want to write, group your ideas into different categories,
and organize them. Feel free to add or delete some details.
- You know your competence the best.
o You know what you understand
o You can focus on the thing you need.
- You know how and when you want to learn.
o You can choose the best method to learn.
- If you graduate, you can learn on your own. improve your career
2) Making a mind map
Put your ideas in the form of a mind map. This will help you know the categories
you are thinking about. Then add, delete, or combine some details and write a
paragraph.
Example:
Choose your
best method

Know what
you need to
focus

Can ask a
teacher

Know your
competence

Choose your
best time

Know how and

when you want
to learn
Studying by yourself
learn best
Can use your
self-study skills
in your future

Success in
your career

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3) Doing a free writing

Write everything you know about your main idea without worrying about
language and/or grammar. Then, select the points you want to include in your paragraph
and organize them.
Example:
Study by yourself makes you learn best. You can learn whatever you want.
You know you like it. Dont be afraid. You can surely learn on your own. You know
what you dont understand, so you can focus on those topics. You know when you
want to learn, so you can choose to study when youre ready. You know how you can
learn best, so you can choose your method. These will make you successful in the
future.
Different people prefer different techniques. Choose the one you like the most.

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